We Build Houses God Establishes Homes
We Build Houses God Establishes Homes
This week in preparation for this time I called my mother and I asked her of all the places we lived in which one was home. It didn’t take her long as we recounted the 9 places we lived in from the time I was born till I would go off to college. We both agreed almost simultaneously on one place that we could both call home. It was our second place of residence and the only home my parents would purchase before their failed relationship would end that happy home. Today we’ll be reading about a place that David lived in that could not be a home without God’s presence. Before we read I want you to keep this thought in mind;
We Build Houses God Establishes Homes
Read. Pray.
2 Samuel 7
1After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” 3Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.” NIV
11”...The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. NIV
Here’s a recap of where we are in 2 Samuel;
David son of Jesse you’ll remember as a young boy defeated Goliath and at 30 years of age was leading God’s people establishing the capital Jerusalem, victory after victory David was enjoying a period of peace prosperity and popularity.
David was living in a palace, built for him by a neighboring king who sent not only the cedar but the craftsmen to construct the palace. What David says in verse 2 gives us a peek into the heart of this man committed to God in times of rest or unrest pain or peace. David says look at where I am living, in this palace built for a king while the Ark of God remains in a tent. David is moved by the disparity between where God is housed and where David has settled.
There are 2 things we can get from this when you think about how we can only build houses but God establishes the home.
1. God establishes people committed to Him
2. God established an everlasting home for us
Here’s the question for us, are we committed to him in a way that acknowledges God as being not only present in our life but the very reason we have this particular vantage point. This vantage point, one that you share with David of prosperity and popularity, strikes him as he comes to the realization in his life that God had taken him from tending sheep to leading people, from living on the run in a cave to settling in palace digs. God had covered and favored David chose him from amongst his brothers when he could have chosen anyone, he chose David. From your own vantage point does it look as though God has chosen you for something other than what you acknowledge him for? David had rest from all his enemies around him. Will you respond when you have rest all around you and realize like David that God brought you here? What enemy will God no longer hold back so that you will realize that God establishes people committed to him?
Secondly, Nathan replies to David saying “go ahead and do” in V.3, do whatever it is on your mind. Some people believe that this palace chaplain got ahead of himself and should have inquired of the Lord first, that may be true but I believe the wisdom here is Nathan instructing David not to hesitate but to do something about the conviction in his heart. If you as a believer are being prompted to get the God that’s established you into all the “rooms” of your life, then by all means pray, but make the changes in your life so that God’s presence isn’t outside in a “tent”. You see the tent paralleled the condition of the hearts of the Israelites as they wandered unsettled in the desert for 40 years. (Rich man story)
Some of us are still building houses, monuments to ourselves while God sits in the “tent” of our lives. God wants you to stop wandering aimlessly and find rest in Him. God has established an everlasting home for You through his son Jesus Christ. V.11
The Lord tells David that He will build a house for him. This great promise is what we call the Davidic Covenant and it’s fulfilled in Jesus Christ, David’s descendant and Lord of an eternal kingdom. David wanted to build a physical house for the Lord but God chose David and from him he would establish a spiritual house that would reign forever. A house of flesh and blood and through the atoning blood of Christ we can enter into this eternally established home it’s that relationship that makes a house a home.
Stop wandering aimlessly, no more hiding let God take control of building into you His spiritual house and He’ll give you rest from the enemies around you. In a minute I’ll be presenting to you how Jesus Christ can take residence in you and no matter what house you’re in you’ll never leave the presence of God. Let’s continue to worship. Steppers!
(Step Session 7-8mins.)
There are 4 things you need to know before you can receive Jesus Christ as a resident in your life.
God has a plan for our lives. No matter how lofty our circumstances may seem many times we look at our lives and sense there’s something missing. John 10:10 tells us that God wants us to “have life and have it to the full.”
We aren’t living until we’ve had His brand of living.
We have a problem. Romans 3:23 tells us that, “all have sinned and fall short...” Our problem is that our nature desires to house sin. As long as that sin remains God’s presence will not enter in, separating us from God.
God gave us a remedy for our sin problem. He made a way for us to be with him by sending his son to occupy the “rooms” of our lives. Romans 5:8 tells us that, “while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” This was the price the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross that had to be paid in order for us to enter into that everlasting place of rest.
Please bow your heads.
Like David received a free palace from an earthly king you can receive the free gift of salvation from the heavenly king, Revelation 3:20 says, “if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in” Jesus right now is knocking on the door of your hearts and wants to occupy the deepest darkest secrets of your life and build His residence in You!
And so here’s your opportunity right where you’re seated with all heads bowed. There are many here today who want to accept God’s plan for their lives, my prayer is that you’ll have the boldness necessary to accept his plan of salvation.
If you believe that you are a sinner separated from God, that God has a plan for you to be with Him, that Jesus Christ is the answer for your sins & that he died for you. If you’ve never made the decision of asking Jesus into your heart as your Lord & Savior, with all heads bowed, only I will see you, just slip up your hand so I can acknowledge your decision to receive Jesus Christ. I see your hand.
Pray.